Inheritance by Jenny Eclair
Beginnings, middles and ends; Peggy, Serena, Natasha and Bel.
This is the room that binds them, this is how consequences work . . .
In deepest Cornwall, the mansion Kittiwake has seen many pass through its doors since it was bought by American heiress Peggy Carmichael seventy years ago.
Over the decades, the keys have been handed down through the family, and now it belongs to Bel’s adoptive brother, Lance. It’s where he’ll be celebrating his 50th birthday, and Bel is invited.
But Bel barely feels like she’s holding it together as it is, and in going back to Kittiwake, she will be returning to the place where it all began – where, following the death of a child, a sequence of events was set in motion, the consequences of which are still rippling down through the generations . . .
Poignant, bittersweet and utterly compelling, this is a book about all we inherit from our families – and will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
My Thoughts on Inheritance by Jenny Eclair
Inheritance is the first book I have read by this author. I must say that it has inspired me to read Jenny Eclair’s previous novels. I enjoy her style of writing, the observational humour and eye for detail, really comes across, even in a serious novel.
The story revolves around a Cornish house called Kittiwake. Over the years the house has been reinvented by a succession of owners. Now in the present day, it is has been fully renovated and is about to become the venue for a lavish birthday party.
The story goes back decades and generations but Kittiwake is always the central location. The house has seen tragedy and turmoil, change and restoration, but it doesn’t hold the wonderful memories you would expect from a seaside retreat. There are different generations, many characters and a timeline stretching over seventy years, so the family tree at the start of the book, was really useful. I soon became familiar with the characters and found the switches in era added many layers to the plot.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable read from a talented writer and recommended for anyone who loves family dramas with an intertwined backstory.
Many thanks to the author and Sphere publishers for a copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly.
Thank you for reading.